During Committee Markup, Cantwell Votes Against Trump’s Commerce Secretary Nominee

Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation voted 16-12 to advance Howard Lutnick’s nomination to be Secretary of Commerce out of the Committee. Ahead of the vote, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) delivered the following remarks on her decision to vote against the nominee, citing concerns over Trump’s trade policies and the nominee’s lack of commitment to uphold federal funding and programs.

Business Community Unites Behind Lutnick for Commerce Department Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of the Senate Commerce Committee markup of the nomination for Howard Lutnick to be U.S. Secretary of Commerce, dozens of organizations and companies from across the technology, space exploration, energy, and communications sectors have expressed support for Mr. Lutnick and enthusiasm for his leadership at the Department of Commerce.

Cantwell Takes to Senate Floor to Oppose Trump’s Trade Philosophy: No to Tariffs, Yes to Innovation, Collaboration & Growth

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling for the United States to establish new trade agreements with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America – and to repudiate the trade philosophy of President Donald Trump, whose proposed tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China would spark a trade war, drive up costs for American consumers, harm domestic businesses across hundreds of industries, and compromise the United States’ global leadership in the free trade ecosystem.

ICYMI: Senators Agree, Howard Lutnick Will Refocus Commerce Department on American Innovation and Light-Touch Regulation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the Senate Commerce Committee hearing last week, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, shared his perspective on key challenges facing the Department of Commerce and pledged to work with Senators on many issues and priorities. During the hearing, Mr. Lutnick outlined his commitment to reducing regulatory burdens to support American innovation and manufacturing, particularly in sectors like spectrum, broadband deployment, semiconductor construction, and critical mineral extraction.

Watch: Cantwell Discusses Wednesday’s Devastating Jet-Helicopter Crash on CNN

This morning, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, joined CNN to discuss the devastating crash on Wednesday involving American Airlines flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Sen. Cruz: Howard Lutnick Will Help to Unleash America’s Full Economic Potential

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reaffirmed his support for Howard Lutnick. Sen. Cruz discussed how Mr. Lutnick’s entrepreneurial experience will be valuable in guiding investments in emerging technology, bolstering America’s leadership in AI innovation and commercial space regulation, and expanding job opportunities across multiple industries.